Throughout the world, and at home here in Peterborough, poor
and working people have met the unfolding political and
economic conditions of the 21st Century with steadily growing
mobilizations to fight for decent livelihoods, self-determination
and peace. Underneath the official currents of globalization, the
“War on Terrorism” and the agenda of multinational
corporations, governments and international trade organizations;
across many borders, we are the “unreported resistance”.
Much of this work is being accomplished by new forms of
organizing which have in common the usage of consensus or
direct democracy for internal decision-making and a strategy
which attacks the root causes of inequality and oppression while
relying wherever possible on our own collective strength to make
change, rather than appealing to a “higher power”. In
recent years, groups like the Peterborough Coalition Against
Poverty (PCAP), the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)
and their equivalents in cities and towns across Ontario have
been organizing in their communities to defend, empower and
advance the interests of unemployed, homeless and low-income
people using these principles for organization and activity.
The potential exists for a parallel network which would bring
together working people from all different workplaces for mutual
aid. As the economy, whether on a local or international level
exists on the basis of our collective labour, it is essential for the
pursuit of social justice that we recognize this and organize
ourselves accordingly.

Labour flying squads have existed before, often created
spontaneously in the midst of a labour battle, as an effective,
flexible tool able to quickly bring together workers and carry out
an economic action with a very minimal amount of bureaucracy.
We are now proposing the creation of a Peterborough-based
labour flying squad.

A Peterborough Labour Flying Squad would seek to build rank
and file solidarity between workers engaged in social and
economic struggles in the Peterborough area and beyond.
Through the principal use of phone and email contact lists, an
organizing committee appointed or elected by Flying Squad
participants will inform members of any ongoing strikes,
lock-outs, protests or other events related to social and economic
justice. The organizing committee would be responsible for
receiving calls for support and coordinating Flying Squad
participation, wherever interest for this exists. To maintain
its’ full autonomy, the Flying Squad would not be officially
affiliated or accountable to any existing labour union,
organization or political party.

The Flying Squad welcomes the involvement of anyone who
shares the principles of rank and file labour solidarity and
militancy. Through the strength of grass roots organization, we
aim to put our interests as working people, ahead of corporate
profit and power.

A proposed framework for a labour flying squad:

General principles:
-open to union and non-union workers, unemployed, retired and
all who believe in labour solidarity
-an independent organization, not officially affiliated with, or
dependent upon any existing labour unions or political parties
-internally structured and operated in a transparent,
non-hierarchical, democratic manner
-actions and tactics used are in harmony with the direction and
wishes of the group receiving support

Structure:
-a dual communication list comprised of a phone list and email
listserv
-organizing committee appointed/elected by the flying squad,
responsible for administrating the phone list and email listserv,
acting as a contact point with other organizations (ie. unions in
need of solidarity)

If you are interested in getting involved with the organizing of a
Flying Squad, email Paul Bocking at beautifulchaos@soon.com

An organizing meeting to launch the Flying Squad has been set
for Tuesday, September 14, 7pm at the office of the
Peterborough Coalition Against Poverty located at 393 Water st.
Unit number 17 (downtown Peterborough between Hunter and
Simcoe)
======================
* [Ed. Note: antiauthoritarian anticapitalist
direct action social struggle initiative.]